A Look Back at His Legacy: Luke Perry Reflects on Career Prior to His Death in Emotional Special

Gone too soon. In a new special for Reelz, Luke Perry appears to reflect on his career before he died suddenly on March 4. According to the network description, Luke Perry In His Own Words “explores the career of the ultimate teen idol through his own reflections on a life of influence, legacy, tabloid romances and personal tragedy.” It also includes reflections from his friends and co-stars. After his passing, the special will likely be more poignant than ever.

In the promo for the special, seen above, Luke — who died at the age of 52 — said, “I couldn’t be anything but an actor … I feel like I’ve had a lot of great opportunities and this is what I always wanted to do.” He may have been best known as a 90210 alum and for his work on Riverdale, but Luke had a long and varied career doing all sorts of roles that meant he got to do what he’d always dreamed before he passed away. Not everyone can say the same.

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Luke died in early March after he suffered a “massive” stroke. He was hospitalized on February 27 for the stroke, but never really recovered even after being placed under heavy sedation so his brain could heal. “It was devastating,” an insider revealed to Us Weekly at the time.

Luke’s rep, Arnold Robinson, said in a statement following his death, “He was surrounded by his children, Jack and Sophie, fianceé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, stepfather Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder and other close family and friends. The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”

The Riverdale actor appears to speak of his family in the special and mentioned them in the clip above. But fans will have to tune in to see exactly what Luke had to say about his life and career not long before his time was tragically cut short. Luke Perry In His Own Words airs Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on Reelz.